I want to pay tribute to Professor Schofield for his stewardship of the HCSA over the past three years in some of the most challenging times I can recall for our members. As we look ahead these challenges will continue to be ever-present.

With Professor Welch at the helm I am confident that we will position the HCSA in such a way as to not only meet those challenges, but see the HCSA grow and deliver greater influence and presence.

Wales TUCI was delighted last month to see the HCSA send its first full delegate to the Wales TUC conference in Llandudno. Our delegate Richard Wilde made a valuable contribution to the health debate on the subjects of stress in the NHS and food poverty.

One of the HCSA’s strengths is our affiliations with all of the UK Trades Union Congress organisations, which gives us far greater influence politically and the opportunity to draw on great resources.

SPA squeezeWe continually hear from members about an ongoing squeeze on SPA time. This time is needed to acquire the skills, knowledge, and latest cutting-edge techniques to support patient care.

We realise the pressures being placed on hospitals to treat more patients, meet targets, reduce waiting times and cut costs, but this must not be at the expense of maintaining appropriate levels of time for consultants to support their professional activities.

PAC reportThe recent report from the Public Accounts Committee into NHS staffing shone a bright light on a problem we have highlighted for years – there are just not enough staff in the NHS.

In its summary, the committee finds that “the extent of staffing gaps in the NHS indicates that the supply of staff is not meeting demand.” It goes on to say that “in 2014, there was an overall shortfall of around 5.9% between the number of clinical staff that healthcare providers said they needed and the number of staff in post, equating to a gap of around 50,000 staff.”

We urge the government to take this report on board and ensure that sufficient funding is available to plug staffing gaps and allow the NHS to deliver the highest standards of patient care.